A Welshman who got drunk on Friday night while on holiday in Malta punched a plainclothes police officer in Paceville thinking he had stolen his car, a court heard yesterday.

Liam Anthony Griffiths, 32, who was arraigned under arrest by Inspector Elton Taliana, admitted all charges brought against him and also paid €200 for damaging a side mirror of the car.

The court heard that the accused approached the police officer and asked him for the keys of his car, apparently thinking it was his.

When the officer revealed his identity and presented his police tag, the Welshman punched him in the face causing slight injuries.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Gabriella Vella, sentenced him to one year imprisonment suspended for four years as well as an €800 fine. Lawyer Robert Gauci Maistre was defence counsel.

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